Authored by: The DrSensory Editorial Team
Reviewed by: 🛡️ DrSensory Clinical Review Board
Last updated: June 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lip tie in babies?
A lip tie occurs when the upper lip is connected too tightly to the gum by a piece of tissue called the labial frenulum. It can affect a child's ability to nurse, eat, speak, and maintain oral hygiene.
What are the signs of a lip tie in infants?
In infants, common signs include difficulty latching during breastfeeding, clicking sounds or slipping off the breast, gassiness or colic-like behavior, poor weight gain, and frustration during feeding.
What happens if a lip tie is left untreated?
If left untreated, a lip tie can lead to breastfeeding difficulties, delayed speech development, feeding aversions or picky eating, mouth breathing, orthodontic issues such as misalignment or spacing, and an increased risk of cavities and poor oral hygiene habits.
How is a lip tie treated?
Treatment depends on its severity and how much it interferes with daily function. It may include a frenectomy, a quick minimally invasive procedure that releases the tight tissue, followed by speech or feeding therapy to retrain lip movement and normalize oral function.
What are the signs of a lip tie in older children?
In older children, signs include a visible band of tissue between the lip and gums, difficulty brushing the upper front teeth, speech delays or unclear articulation, avoidance of certain food textures, frequent cavities on the upper front teeth, and a gap between the upper front teeth.
